By LYDIA EARHART
Staff Writer

The University Health Fair will not have a rollercoaster, but it will have door prizes, massage demonstrations and valuable health information.

The Student Health Center is getting ready for the University Health Fair scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 28 in the Student Center, Main Floor.

“This fair is a big project that has been happening annually to give students information for leading a healthy lifestyle,” Lisa Washam, a registered nurse at the Student Health Center, said.

Washam said admission is free, and they will offer door prizes from the Bookstore. She said she expects the turn-out to be better this year because they have changed the day from Friday to Thursday to ensure that the students who go home for the weekend can participate.

Robert Burt, coordinator of the Student Speakers Bureau and the clinical coordinator for Counseling Services, said every year the Student Health Center invites health professionals, different departments and organizations to have a booth and share some valuable information on how to make healthy choices.

“We focus on the freshmen to help make their days at Tech successful,” Washam said.

Washam said Maxim Health Care will attend the fair and offer meningitis shots to all students. Students can have the shot for $90, payable by cash, check or credit card. The Student Health Center offers the same type of shot to students year-round that are payable with cash or a check for $90.

Booths from different organizations and departments will set up information on how to make healthy decisions.

“We usually expect Lincoln General Hospital, the Sheriff Department and other departments from around the campus,” Washam said.

The Student Speakers Bureau will have a booth set up at the fair. Burt said the SSB plans to give students brochures on ways to make healthy choices.

“We are always involved in this fair along with 75-100 other booths,” Burt said. “This year we plan to inform the student body with some great information to take care of themselves.”

Burt said several types of booths that address alcohol abuse prevention, stress alleviation and ways to avoid sexual assault and rape, among others.

Burt said the SSB gives students a stress survey consisting of a few questions to evaluate their stress levels. They give information about workshops that they offer to help deal with stress.

The SSB will also give information on alcohol use and the temptation that students deal with.

Burt said some of this year’s SSB members were involved last year.

Jenny Quinnelly, senior speech communication major, said she helped the SSB present at the fair last year.

Quinnelly said, “This fair gives me the opportunity to reach different kinds of students the SSB does not present to and encourage other organizations to ask us to present to them.”